Patna Court Conducts Unprecedented Roadside Hearing for Elderly Fraud Accused
In an extraordinary judicial proceeding, the Patna district courts witnessed a rare event on Monday when special judge Avinash Kumar of the CBI court delivered a verdict in a long-pending bank fraud case not within the confines of a courtroom, but on the roadside. This unique hearing was necessitated by the frail condition of the accused, 95-year-old Jai Narayan Singh, who lay inside a vehicle, barely able to move his legs.
A Compassionate Verdict After 15 Years
The case, which dates back 15 years, involved Jai Narayan Singh fraudulently obtaining a loan of approximately Rs 4 lakh from UCO Bank for the purchase of a tractor using forged documents. At the fag end of his life, the elderly accused admitted his guilt and pleaded for amnesty during the hearing. Judge Avinash Kumar held Jai Narayan guilty but showed leniency, imposing a fine of Rs 2,000 and disposing of the case without a prison sentence. This decision was made in light of his advanced age and debilitating health condition.
Background of the Fraud Case
The CBI had registered this case in 2011 against fake borrowers and other accused persons, including employees of UCO Bank. They were alleged to have swindled public money under the guise of agricultural loan schemes in Jamui district of Bihar. Notably, Jai Narayan had already refunded the entire loan amount to the bank prior to the hearing, which was a mitigating factor considered by the court.
The roadside hearing lasted for nearly 35 minutes on the road leading to the Patna civil courts, highlighting the judiciary's adaptability in ensuring justice is served even under unconventional circumstances. This incident underscores the balance between legal rigor and humanitarian considerations in the Indian judicial system.
